City Photographer

Descriptive Data

TypeAgencyDate Range17 August 1970-DescriptionThe City Photographer role grew out of an increased demand for photographic material being used to protect the Council against liability and for reporting purposes. From the 1920's, the City Engineer's Department was employing commercial photographers to take photographs of Council works and of sites prior to work commencing. A camera was purchased in 1936, for the use of Council Officers, as a more cost-effective means of creating photographic records for the Council. The camera was to be kept and used by Mr Scott, a staff member of the Laboratory, Corporation Yard.

In 1949, a proposal was made to combine the photographic work undertaken by City Engineer's Department staff, specifically Chief Surveyor, Mr H W Falkner, with the historical and record work of the Library. The Library had been collecting and creating photographs with a historical record focus. The City Engineer's Department continued to take photographs for record-keeping purposes.

From approximately 1957 Cyril W Pascoe, who was employed as a time keeper with the City Engineer's Department, was taking photographs for the Department on an ad-hoc basis. In 1963 he was employed Wednesday to Friday as full time photographer, attached to the City Engineer's Department Clerical Office. In 1964, the photographer role was made full time, though Pascoe was never officially given the title City Photographer (his staff card designation is Clerk Class 1). He is referred to as 'a City photographer' in the Councilman February 1970, and internal correspondence, however.

Pascoe retired in June 1970, and the position of City Council Photographer was advertised in local daily papers. Frank (Francis) Clark was appointed to the position, transferring from the position of Inspector with the WCC Transport Department. The role was officially identified as City Photographer and reported to Town Clerk's Records Department (subsequently the Administration Branch). Over the period from 1977-1983, absences by the City Photographer were covered by Photonews Ltd.

In November 1981 Carol Knox was appointed City Photographer, working in the Administration Office of the Town Clerk's Department. From April 1984 to October 1987, the position reported to the Printing and Bindery Department of the Library. While Carol Knox took maternity leave from August 1985 to July 1986, her position was filled by Karen Angus.

Neil Price was appointed City Photographer in June 1986, reporting to Printing and Bindery in the Library. In 1994 the position changed to report to the Corporate Communications Manager, and in 2003 it came under the Publication and Design Department.

Series

City Photographer Open use collection

WCC, City Photographer's 35mm colour negative and prints of the 1996 Mobil Street Race

WCC, City Photographer's photographic transparency (35mm slide) library

WCC, City Photographer's large format colour prints of photographs

WCC, City Photographer's photographic prints and negatives

WCC, City Photographer's photographic portraits of Wellington City Councillors and Head of Departments

WCC, City Photographer's photographic negatives

Controlling Agency or Organisation

Controlling Agency or OrganisationWellington City CouncilControlling Agency or Organisation Date Range1870-

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City Photographer